SFL clubs thrilled with ex-AFL player cameos

Three SFL clubs who have had access to ex-AFL players for one-off appearances believe their presence is only good for the local game. Here’s how the clubs benefitted.

SFL Community League. Dane Swan Huonville Lions. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The three SFL clubs who lured former AFL players for one-off games in the first half of the season say the benefits have been excellent both on and off the field and would recommend such a worthwhile venture for other clubs — with the likelihood of Gary Ablett Jnr still to come.

Glenorchy and Huonville Lions benefitted both on the field as well as off the field financially with their imports Levi Casboult and Dane Swan respectively, while North Hobart’s young group received a much-appreciated boost playing alongside former St Kilda and Melbourne player Luke Dunstan.

Tasmanian Levi Casboult played for Glenorchy last weekend. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Huonville kicked off the season with a rolled gold AFL legend in Collingwood premiership player and Brownlow medalist Dane Swan for the opening game of the Community League home-and-away series.

Swan helped pack Huonville Oval on a stunning autumn day and starred for the Lions in their win over New Norfolk, followed by a packed house for his event at the club that night.

Lions president Todd Cordwell said Swan was “generous” in every possible way.

“The general public and community loved it,” Cordwell said.

“It was a really good thing. It was a lot of work but once you get past that stage it’s a great day.”

The main benefit for Huonville’s playing group was the way Swan let his talent do the talking, leading by example on the field.

“It opened their eyes up to different ways and different game-styles you can play, and different ways to approach a game and different set-plays,” he said.

“It really made them think about the game in a different manner.

“He showed the playing group how to move the ball in different ways, how he moves the ball with precision and his elite kicking skills were phenomenal so it was good for the group to see that.”

Former AFL star Dane Swan in the rooms ahead of his one-off game for Southern Football League (SFL) game for Huonville Lions v New Norfolk in Hobart, Tasmania on April 12, 2025. Picture: James Bresnehan.

Swan was best-on-ground off the paddock as well.

“He was really giving of his time after the game as well,” Cordwell said.

“There was an element of risk for us in doing it, because it was the first game of the season and some people might not have been in football mode at that stage.

“It actually worked really well. It switched on people’s minds to football straight away, got them excited about football and a lot of people came along and had a great day.

“It was well-supported and successful off the field for the club.”

Glenorchy had Tasmania’s 198-game 215-goal former Carlton and Gold Coast bigman Levi Casboult for its two-point upset win over formerly undefeated Lauderdale at KGV last Saturday.

Magpies president Peter Barwick said it also left a legacy of standards and professionalism.

“He gave the players an unquantifiable and intangible sense of belief in themselves and around the possibility of winning,” he said.

“With teams like us, over quite a number of years, you lose that ‘you’re always going to win’, that’s why great teams are dominant for so long because they don’t believe they are going to get beaten.

“It created a sense of excitement for the week leading up to the day — you notice at training the intensity is up, the enthusiasm, the bounce, the energy is increased and that continued on to game-day.”

Casboult emphasised to the Glenorchy players that, when it all boiled down, it was only a game.

“He said it was really important to remember that it is still only a game so enjoy playing with your mates and that’s how you will get the most out of it,” Barwick said.

The Casboult initiative was also a success off the field, when he conducted a Q&Q along with former Carlton teammate, and Lauderdale ruck opponent, Andrew Phillips.

Attracting AFL players had a broader benefit.

“It’s good for footy in general,” Barwick said.

Glenorchy is working on another deal to have Gary Ablett Jnr to play for the Magpies later this season. Picture: Peter Ristevski

“Ultimately, we all think winning games is a measure of success, and success is a measure of sustainability, and that comes down to your crowds, your supporters and your ability to generate ongoing revenue out of that.

“If we make a product that is more exciting from time to time by adding something that’s a little different, adding a bit of extra spice, then it really improves that opportunity as well.

“You’ve got to do it well, there’s a lot of planning in it, and if you get it right it enhances the produce and enhances people’s desire to come and watch it, and in turn enhances your bottom line.”

North Hobart president Dave Kilpatrick said Dunstan was a windfall for the Dees as his younger brother Jack is at the club.

Melbourne players Christian Petracca and Luke Dunstan - Dunstan played for North Hobart in round three Photo by Michael Klein

“He was a good role model around the boys,” he said.

“We didn’t do it for commercial reasons it was purely through a family connection.”

All three presidents would recommend other clubs to “dip the toe in” to test the benefits of a one-off import.

“If you can make it work financially and it’s within the rules, then certainly,” Kilpatrick said.